Human Factors
What are human factors?
Human factors in aviation refer to the psychological, physiological, and social influences that affect how people interact with aircraft, systems and each other.
Why human factors matter
Despite technological advances, human error remains a leading cause of aviation incidents. According to the Flight Safety Foundation, over 70% of aviation accidents involve human factors. These aren’t just pilot errors. They span the entire aviation ecosystem, from flying through to ground operations including maintenance.
Common human factor challenges
- Fatigue: Long duty hours and circadian disruptions impair judgment and reaction time.
- Stress: High-stakes environments can cloud decision-making.
- Communication breakdowns: Misunderstandings can have serious consequences.
- Complacency: Routine familiarity can lead to skipped checks or overlooked anomalies.
The “Dirty Dozen” of human error
To tackle these challenges, the aviation industry uses a framework known as the “Dirty Dozen”, i.e. 12 common human factor pitfalls that contribute to errors:
- Lack of communication
- Complacency
- Lack of knowledge
- Distraction
- Lack of teamwork
- Fatigue
- Lack of resources
- Pressure
- Lack of assertiveness
- Stress
- Lack of awareness
- Norms (unofficial practices that bypass safety)
This list is helpful in understanding how to recognise and mitigate risks before they escalate.
Addressing human factors
There are established ‘systems’ to address human factors:
Crew Resource Management (CRM). CRM is a cornerstone of pilot training. It emphasises communication, leadership, decision-making, and teamwork. Originally developed in the 1970s, CRM has evolved into a global standard for commercial cockpit culture. It also applies in gliding, of course.
Fatigue Risk Management. Formal system in use in commercial aviation go beyond duty-hour limits to consider sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, and operational demands. In gliding, we all need to be aware of our own fatigue risk (‘I’M SAFE’). And clubs need to be aware of volunteer and employee fatigue risk. For example, gliding instructors and tug pilots.
Human-Centred Design. Aircraft cockpits, checklists, and maintenance procedures are increasingly designed with human factors in mind, reducing cognitive load, improving ergonomics, and minimising the chance of error.
Just Culture. A “Just Culture” encourages individuals to report mistakes or near-misses without fear of punishment. These foster learning and continuous improvement across the organisation. The BGA operates within a just culture.
The BGA incorporates human factors within its maintenance and instructing training and refresher training.
Gliding clubs are signposted to guidance and resources.
The Swiss Cheese model: Understanding how accidents happen
One of the most widely used tools in aviation safety is the Swiss Cheese model, developed by psychologist Professor James Reason. It offers a simple yet powerful way to understand how accidents occur, not through a single failure, but through a series of small, often hidden, weaknesses that align.
How it Works. Imagine several slices of Swiss cheese stacked in a row. Each slice represents a layer of defence in the aviation system, such as training, regulations, maintenance checks, or cockpit procedures. The holes in the cheese represent weaknesses or gaps in those defences. These holes can be caused by:
- Latent conditions: hidden issues like poor design, outdated procedures, or inadequate training
- Active failures: human errors such as miscommunication, incorrect actions, or lapses in attention
When the holes in multiple layers momentarily align, they create a clear path for an accident to occur.
Why it Matters. The Swiss Cheese model teaches us that:
- Accidents are rarely caused by a single mistake
- Multiple safeguards must work together to prevent failure
- In addressing an accident cause with the aim of preventing re-occurrence, the system as a whole should be considered
This model has shaped how aviation approaches safety. It encourages a proactive mindset, spotting and fixing small issues before they align into something more serious.
More reading
Threat and Error Management in gliding
